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Diversity is India's strength and pride, says Narendra Modi at Wembley Stadium
Highlights
Facing attack back home over the issue of ‘intolerance’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the country’s “strength and pride” lies in India’s diversity as he underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence.
Facing attack back home over the issue of ‘intolerance’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the country’s “strength and pride” lies in India’s diversity as he underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence.
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Modi also said that there is no reason for India to remain poor, asserting. “we harbour poverty for no reason.”
The Prime Minister was addressing thousands of people, almost all of Indian origin, at a Grand Community reception in his honour at the iconic Wembley Stadium, home to rock concerts and England’s national soccer team.
The event was themed ‘Two Great Nations, One Glorious Future’.
Courting the Indian diaspora with rock star-style tour on the second day of his three-day visit to the UK–the first by an Indian Premier in 10 years–, Modi got a rapturous welcome when he reached one of Britain’s most famous sporting venues this evening. An estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people were present at the event, according to the organisers.
Modi was introduced to the gathering by British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose wife Samantha, draped in a saree, was also present.
“India is full of diversity. This diversity is our pride and it is our strength. Diversity is the speciality of India,” he said, adding that despite the country being home to diverse religions, over 100 languages and 1,500 dialects Indians have proved how to live together.
The Prime Minister said the whole world is amazed how 125 crore people with so much diversity live peacefully with love and affection.
Modi, who was speaking against the backdrop of raging debate on “intolerance” in India, told the gathering during the course of his 75-minute address that newspaper and TV headlines are not the barometer to assess the country.
“India is not only that much what is seen in newspapers. India is much bigger. India with its 125 crore people is much bigger and better with a pre-eminent position beyond the screen of Television,” he said.
In this context, Modi referred to a youth Imran Khan of Alwar in Rajasthan who made 50 mobile applications and dedicated them to the students without charging anything.
“My India resides in people like Imran Khan,” he said.
On Indo-UK relations, Modi said, “Between two vibrant democracies we are celebrating this very special relationships in this very special venue,” Modi stated.
“I was told London will be cold but not so cold. Your warm welcome makes me feel at home. I am grateful to PM Cameron for his kind words,” Modi said.
Modi, who acknowledged that terrorism is a challenge to both India and the UK, asserted that the Sufi tradition is the best antidote to terrorism and anybody who understood the message of this tenet would not have picked up the gun.
“Kabir and Rahim have been our inspirations. Sufi tradition is the best antidote to terrorism,” he said, adding the two main challenges facing the world today are terrorism and global warming.
The Prime Minister announced a direct Air India flight between Ahmedabad and London from December 15. He said this connectivity had been established in 2003 during Vajpayee government but was discontinued later.
Modi invoked Mahatma Gandhi while talking about ways to deal with problems like terrorism and climate change, saying his teachings provide solutions to them.
“Your warm welcome makes me feel home,” Modi told the biggest gathering of Indian diaspora he has ever addressed since assuming office in May 2014.
Cameron greeted the assembled audience with a “Namaste” which drew loud cheers and followed up with another greeting “‘kem cho' (How are you?) Wembley” in Gujarati. He renewed his pitch for India getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
“When it comes to UN we know what needs to happen- India with a permanent seat at the UN Security Council,” Cameron said.
Britain has a 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora population. The event was held in a carnival atmosphere following celebrations for Diwali festival.
Describing the event as historic and spectacular, Cameron hailed the role of Indian community in his country’s progress and said Britain will partner Modi’s vision for India’s development. “You have plans for India, we will help these become a reality,” he said, adding, “Team India and Team India is a winning combination.”
Referring to Modi’s Acche Din slogan, Cameron said “I would like to say having seen your energy and vision, I will go a step further and say Acche Din Jaroor Ayenge.”
Addressing the issue of terrorism, Cameron said this is a threat to the very existence of the two countries and they stand shoulder-to-shoulder to tackle it, reminding the gathering about the Mumbai and London attacks.
Performers included Indian-origin pop star Jay Sean, popular Bollywood singer ‘Baby Doll’ Kanika Kapoor and Alisha Chinai, who belted out her famous ‘Made in India’ Hindi number of the 90s, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
A dynamic cultural show showcasing dance styles prevailing across India besides a variety of dance mixes with Bollywood songs was on display. The audience also heard classical, folk art and contemporary music performances.
There was also a performance by Scottish bagpipers.
Modi said that some section of the Indian diaspora had talked about problems with regard to OCI and PIO cards, which have been merged. “I have issued directions to sort out these issues.”
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